The Free Spirits | |
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Background information | |
Origin | New York City, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz-rock |
Years active | 1965–1968 |
Labels | Sunbeam, ABC |
Past members |
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The Free Spirits was an American band credited as the first jazz-rock group.[1] The band also incorporated elements of pop[2] and garage rock.[3] Their first album, Out of Sight and Sound, was recorded in 1966[4] and released in 1967.
The band formed in New York as a jazz group. Every member except Chip Baker had a background in jazz. According to drummer Bob Moses, guitarist Larry Coryell turned the group to more rock-oriented music.[1] The band played several times in a New York club called The Scene but made little money from the shows, getting paid only ten dollars as a group per night. The band also performed with Mitch Ryder and The Rascals.[5]
By 1967, Coryell left the band to play with Gary Burton. Moses also joined Burton because he "knew that it wasn't going to be the same without Coryell".[6] Pepper, Hills, and Baker formed the band Everything is Everything with Lee Reinoehl on Hammond C-3 organ and both John Waller and Jim Zitro on drums. Vanguard released their self-titled album, which included Pepper's composition "Witchi Tai To".[7] Moses later recorded with Jack DeJohnette, Steve Swallow, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, and Coryell.[8]